APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday April 14, 2014
Note: News Nosh will be off this week over the Passover holiday, beginning tomorrow.
Note: News Nosh will be off this week over the Passover holiday, beginning tomorrow.
Quote of the day:
"It looks like something written using Google Translate."
--An Israeli Arab academic on the garbled Arabic Facebook post written by Habayit Hayehudi leader Naftali Bennett to Arab Israelis. **
--An Israeli Arab academic on the garbled Arabic Facebook post written by Habayit Hayehudi leader Naftali Bennett to Arab Israelis. **
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Rabbi Lau to Haaretz: Re-examine the Law of Return
- 3 shot dead at Jewish center in Kansas
- Yaalon approved expansive takeover of lands to expand Gush Etzion (settlement bloc)
- Naftali Bennett's dangerous gamble // Yossi Verter
- In light of lack of cells, Palestinian detainees (in Israel) being held in buses
- 42 km, 5.5 hours and one rider in questionable fitness: The subversive journey on a Jerusalem bike path
- They separated at the establishment of the state, united with the fall of the wall: A Jewish-German love story
- 1/4 page ad: Counting on your word: Ynet quote: 'Lieberman: We prefer elections over release of terrorists.' Lieberman, keep your word. By the 'Joint Staff' (Hamateh Hamishutaf)
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Yedioth poll: Likud 22, Lieberman 10, Kahlon 10
- Bennett: We will come with letters of resignation - The (political) dispute worsens: Chairman of Habayit Hayehudi plans immediate resignation moment that the government approves release of Arab Israelis who murdered
- Day before Passover: 3 killed in shooting at Jewish centers in US
Maariv
- Netanyahu: I am not interested in (new) elections, but I won't turn the world over in order to leave Bennett in the government (Hebrew)
- The pitchfork and the negotiations // Shalom Yerushalmi and the connection between the events of the night of the pitchforks and Bennett's ultimatum (Hebrew)
- Limits to the kingdom // Kalman Libskind on IDF operations in Yitzhar (settlement) and the dilemma of the moderate residents
- New Lapid // Nadav Eyal on the Finance Minister's revolution: From bourgeoisie to progressive who has nothing to lose (Hebrew)
- The pardox of slavery and freedom // Ben-Dror Yemini
- Embarrassment in IDF: Three non-commissioned officers arrested on suspicion of selling Lau missiles to criminals (Hebrew)
- US accuses: Putin trying to take over east Ukraine based on the Crimean model
- Report: At least one killed in two shooting attacks at Jewish centers in Kansas City
Israel Hayom
- Passover evening: Shooting attack on Jewish centers in Kansas - 3 killed
- On the way to Seder: Disorder and exchange of accusations in coalition
- Indictment: 12-year-olds planned to murder their classmate
- With matzah and four glasses: Israel is prepared for Seder
- Suspicion: Soldiers and careers soldiers sold criminals missiles, grenades and ammunition that they stole from military bases in south
- Thanks to love: He's a Bedouin general, she's third generation to a Holocaust survivor. They are an Israeli family
Peace Talk Highlights:
Today's top stories focused on the crisis in the coalition and the shooting attacks at Jewish centers in Kansas City. Meanwhile, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators met yesterday, for the first time without a US presence. Maan reported that the three hour meeting ended without clear signs of progress. NRG Hebrew reported that the Palestinians demand a full freeze to settlement construction and that they will not withdraw their UN bid.
Israel added more sanctions against the Palestinians, including suspending its participation with the Palestinians in developing a gas field off the Gaza Strip and putting a cap on Palestinian deposits in its banks, in addition to the freeze in the transfer of taxes to Palestinian Authority, which make up two-thirds of its income. Nevertheless, Haaretz's Barak Ravid writes that the freeze is 'pure spin,' because the actual funds have already been transferred to the PA. In any case, the sanctions will not stop the Palestinians' UN bid, PLO official Nabil Shaath said in a meeting with a German delegation, and blamed the Israelis for the crisis for not releasing the prisoners to begin with. But speaking to foreign diplomats, Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said it was the Palestinians 'unilateral move' that killed the prisoner release.
Meanwhile, the crisis in the Israeli government continues with the Likud party debating what will happen to the government coalition it leads after the Passover holiday. Economy Minister Naftali Bennett repeated his ultimatum to yesterday to Channel 2 News that his party, Habayit Hayehudi, would leave the government coalition if Israeli Arab prisoners 'with blood on their hands' were released in the framework of peace talks. However, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reportedly said in closed circles that he although he does not want new elections, he would not "commit suicide or turn the world over" to prevent Bennett from leaving the coalition, Maariv reported. The Labor party was not expected to replace Habayit Hayehudi, if that did happen and the ultra-Orthodox Shas party would have a problem entering the coalition because of the stauncly secular Finance Minister Yair Lapid and party. Many think new elections are unavoidable.
**Bennett appears to be busy trying to prevent the peace deal from going through. Livni accused Bennett of trying to prevent peace. 'Habayit Hayehudi shares the extreme ideological views of the Yitzhar (settlement) rabbis, it is they who are trying to put an end to negotiations with the Palestinians." Bennett also posted a Facebook message explaining to the Israeli Arab public why he opposes the release of Israeli Arab terrorists. However, it went awry because it was written in garbled Arabic. And, Maan reported that a new right-wing Israeli legal campaign that accuses Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of 'terrorism,' following the Palestinian Authority's recent decision to join international conventions and treaties, is led by Bennett. The campaign has run ads in Israeli newspapers and websites calling on Israeli lawyers to join it in suing Abbas at The Hague.
Meanwhile, (right-wing) pro-Israeli US Congress members have voiced their demands to impose US sanctions against the PA, including ceasing financial aid, in response to the PA petitions to join international treaties, said Palestine's envoy in Washington.
Today's top stories focused on the crisis in the coalition and the shooting attacks at Jewish centers in Kansas City. Meanwhile, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators met yesterday, for the first time without a US presence. Maan reported that the three hour meeting ended without clear signs of progress. NRG Hebrew reported that the Palestinians demand a full freeze to settlement construction and that they will not withdraw their UN bid.
Israel added more sanctions against the Palestinians, including suspending its participation with the Palestinians in developing a gas field off the Gaza Strip and putting a cap on Palestinian deposits in its banks, in addition to the freeze in the transfer of taxes to Palestinian Authority, which make up two-thirds of its income. Nevertheless, Haaretz's Barak Ravid writes that the freeze is 'pure spin,' because the actual funds have already been transferred to the PA. In any case, the sanctions will not stop the Palestinians' UN bid, PLO official Nabil Shaath said in a meeting with a German delegation, and blamed the Israelis for the crisis for not releasing the prisoners to begin with. But speaking to foreign diplomats, Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said it was the Palestinians 'unilateral move' that killed the prisoner release.
Meanwhile, the crisis in the Israeli government continues with the Likud party debating what will happen to the government coalition it leads after the Passover holiday. Economy Minister Naftali Bennett repeated his ultimatum to yesterday to Channel 2 News that his party, Habayit Hayehudi, would leave the government coalition if Israeli Arab prisoners 'with blood on their hands' were released in the framework of peace talks. However, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reportedly said in closed circles that he although he does not want new elections, he would not "commit suicide or turn the world over" to prevent Bennett from leaving the coalition, Maariv reported. The Labor party was not expected to replace Habayit Hayehudi, if that did happen and the ultra-Orthodox Shas party would have a problem entering the coalition because of the stauncly secular Finance Minister Yair Lapid and party. Many think new elections are unavoidable.
**Bennett appears to be busy trying to prevent the peace deal from going through. Livni accused Bennett of trying to prevent peace. 'Habayit Hayehudi shares the extreme ideological views of the Yitzhar (settlement) rabbis, it is they who are trying to put an end to negotiations with the Palestinians." Bennett also posted a Facebook message explaining to the Israeli Arab public why he opposes the release of Israeli Arab terrorists. However, it went awry because it was written in garbled Arabic. And, Maan reported that a new right-wing Israeli legal campaign that accuses Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of 'terrorism,' following the Palestinian Authority's recent decision to join international conventions and treaties, is led by Bennett. The campaign has run ads in Israeli newspapers and websites calling on Israeli lawyers to join it in suing Abbas at The Hague.
Meanwhile, (right-wing) pro-Israeli US Congress members have voiced their demands to impose US sanctions against the PA, including ceasing financial aid, in response to the PA petitions to join international treaties, said Palestine's envoy in Washington.
Quick Hits:
- Israel set to legalize West Bank outpost, taking over private Palestinian land - The decision to grant retroactive approval to Netiv Ha’avot, an outpost Peace Now filed a court petition to get demolished, was approved by Defense Minister Ya'alon, marking the largest appropriation of West Bank land in years. The decision to convert nearly 1,000 dunams (1 square kilometer) into state land will enable hundreds of housing units to be built in Gush Etzion settlement bloc. (Haaretz+ and NRG Hebrew)
- Yaalon allows settlers to return to disputed Hebron house - Seven-year dispute ends following Supreme Court ruling Jewish settlers were the lawful owners of the building. The returning families to the 'House of Contention' were accompanied by a large and festive crowd as they returned to the building. (Haaretz+, Ynet and Israel Hayom)
- Right-wing activists suspected of attacking the IDF outpost released to house arrest - Right-wing activist Boaz Albert, who was arrested on suspicion of participation in the vandalizing of the IDF outpost in Yitzhar, was released today to house arrest. Over the last few days seven other detainees suspected of participation were released. (NRG Hebrew)
- Israeli settlers assault and injured 3 Palestinian youths in Jerusalem - Dozens of Israeli settlers assaulted three Palestinian youths with clubs and knives late Friday in the E. Jerusalem settlement (neighborhood), Pisgat Zeev, when the youths went to withdraw money from an ATM machine. (Maan+PHOTOS)
- Israeli forces storm Aqsa (Temple Mount) compound, injuring 6 worshipers - Israeli forces attacked worshipers with stun grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets Sunday morning. Dozens had spent the night in the compound in anticipation of raids by right-wing Jewish groups, who they expect to enter the compound on Passover. The soldiers denied right-wing Israeli groups access to the compound. (Maan and Ynet)
- Israeli forces keep Nabi Saleh village gates closed for 2nd day - Israeli forces kept gates surrounding village near Ramallah shut for second day in a row on Sunday, a day after Israeli forces detained five - including two Palestinian women and three foreign journalists, injuring a French journalist - during the recent weekly protest, against Israeli confiscation of village lands. (Maan)
- Palestinian man shot, injured by Israeli forces in northern Gaza Strip - Israeli soldiers opened fire at Palestinian workers collecting small stones from fields near the border, injuring one in the foot. (Maan)
- PLO committee to travel to Gaza for reconciliation talks - The statement said a meeting was confirmed in a Sunday morning telephone call between senior Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad and Gaza PM Ismail Haniyeh. (Maan)
- Arab youth take to Nazareth streets in anti-IDF draft rally - Protestors say inducting Christians into the Israeli military would split Arab society. (Haaretz+)
- PA forces assault journalists, arrest protesters in Ramallah - Palestinians were protesting against an Indian band scheduled to perform at the al-Kasaba Cinemateque in Ramallah. The band had performed in Tel Aviv days earlier and the demonstrators accused the band of normalization with the Israeli occupation. (Maan)
- Yesha Council officially condemns Yitzhar riot -Settler council heads say harm to IDF soldiers or property is forbidden. Meanwhile, Yitzhar Council asks Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon to remove border police from a yeshiva in the town. (Israel Hayom)
- Housing Minister Ariel to Defense Minister: Would you seize a mosque, too? - Uri Ariel criticizes IDF move to seize Yitzhar yeshiva, calling it 'an undemocratic and un-Jewish action.' (Ynet)
- Hamas prisoner declares hunger strike over solitary confinement - Palestinian Prisoners' Club says some 200 Palestinians prisoners spread across several Israeli jails are expected to fast in solidarity with Ibrahim Hamed. (Haaretz)
- Jailed Palestinian militant starts, ends hunger strike (after Israel agrees to demands) - On Sunday, former Hamas military leader Ibrahim Hamed had begun his protest against solitary confinement and was to be joined by about 200 other inmates. But by afternoon, the issue had been resolved and he was to be transferred to Nafha prison in southern Israel's Negev desert. (Agencies, Maan)
- Western Wall cleaned for Passover - Ahead of Jewish holiday, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz and his team clear out thousands of notes placed by worshippers in holy wall's cracks. (Ynet)
- Israel to impose closure on West Bank and shut down Gaza's only commercial crossing over Passover -Kerem Shalom crossing is closed Monday and Tuesday, the West Bank was closed by military order from Sunday at midnight until decided otherwise. (Maan and Israel Hayom, p. 3)
- Israelis flock to Turkey for Passover - Some 24,000 Israelis to spend Jewish holiday in resort city of Antalya, a 150% increase in number of passengers from last year. (Ynet)
- Immigration to Israel jumps 14% in first 3 months of 2014 - Central Bureau of Statistics reports that 3,623 new immigrants have arrived in Israel since the start of the year. Largest numbers come from Russia, France, and the United States. (Israel Hayom)
- Israel to U.S.: Opposing Russia would endanger our security - White House remains incensed over Jerusalem’s breaking of ranks over Ukraine. (Haaretz+)
- US defense official on Ukraine policy: Israeli policy needn't be identical to U.S.' - U.S. officials angry over Israel's lack of condemnation of Russia. (Haaretz)
- Palestinian startup looks for more support in Silicon Valley - Hi-tech companies set to take the lead in putting together economic infrastructure for future Palestinian state. (Ynet)
- Police crack ring selling IDF arms to criminals - Eight remanded on suspicion of stealing weapons from army bases, and selling them on to crime families; three of the suspects are serving non-commissioned officers in the IDF. (Haaretz and Israel Hayom)
- Report: Iran scraps plan to send warships to Atlantic - Iran reportedly shelves plan to approach US maritime borders in response to US military presence in Gulf. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Hezbollah develops new tactics in Syrian civil war - Hezbollah's new strategy includes hit-and-run attacks and reconnaissance missions, with the goals of helping Syrian President Bashar Assad hold onto power, limiting its own casualties and attacking groups that seek to launch attacks inside Lebanon itself. (Israel Hayom)
- Carter says Israel has stockpile of over 300 nuclear bombs - Former U.S. president says U.S. should not attack Iran even if Iran develops a nuclear bomb. Carter praises Secretary of State John Kerry's "heroic" effort to broker Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, but says Kerry should have more help from White House. (Israel Hayom)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.